Finnestad Ancestry

The Årdal gamle kirke  (Årdal old church) is located east of the Nordskår farm.   The son-in-law of Ole Olson Søndenå and Mari Iversdatter Nordskår,  Lars Pederson Valheim (Americanized to Vallem) was laid to rest at this wooden church which dates back to 1619, one year before the Pilgrims landed at Provincetown, Massachusetts. This map provides perspective where Lars was born, the church location and the residence of Rachel Olsdatter (Finnestad) Vallem.    Nordskår, Årdal and Valheim Very few grave markers exist today as shown by the exterior photos. Entrance Side yard and rear of the church View from rear of church View from rear of church Side view Interior shots of the church. View from the entrance Ceiling and wall panels Rear portion of the church The stained glass window depicts the Danish flag and a sailor holding a stein of beer.   Unusual religious s...

Lawrence Vallem, great grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole Finnestad Sr may have been the only individual in the family buried at a national cemetery. Lawrence had served in the US Army during World War I.   He was the eldest child born to Lena Josephine (Travland) and Peter John Vallem on October 26, 1898 in Alto township, Lee county, Illinois. Following his service in the military, Lawrence married Jennifer Cecelia Blanford on January 8, 1920 in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois.     Jennifer was born in Illinois on September 20, 1900 and died in Downey, Los Angeles county, California on March 4, 1995.  I do not know where she was buried. Lawrence passed away August 8, 1991 in Long Beach, Los Angeles county, California and was buried at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, Riverside county, California. Here is a photo of the sign and entrance to Riverside Memorial Cemetery. Here is...

Here is the 1930 US Census for Ole and Mari's great grandson, Lawrence Vallem.    Lawrence, along with wife Jennifer,  daughters Bettie Jane and Elaine were living in Rockford, Illinois. Lawrence was employed as a factory foreman. Lawrence was the eldest son of Lena Josephine (Travland) and  Peter John Vallem, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem.